VDS launched for tubewell owners
Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 26
The Punjab Government has announced a voluntary disclosure scheme (VDS) for agricultural pumpset consumers with immediate effect.

The decision has been taken in view of the hardships being faced by farmers due to depletion of groundwater all over Punjab, resulting into deep boring and use of submersible motors of higher capacity by the farmers to water their crops.

Earlier, the farmers, who installed motors of higher capacity than their sanctioned load, were facing punitive measures by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) under the Electricity Act 2003.

Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the PSPCL KD Chaudhry said in the past, whenever the PSPCL announced VDS, it had received overwhelming response. He disclosed that last time more than 2,40,000 consumers opted for VDS after depositing more than Rs 100 crore and helped the PSPCL to add 645 MW authorised load. VDS will remain applicable till September 30 this year, he stated.

“VDS will be applicable to all tubewell connections released and installed on or before July 23, 2010”, added Chaudhry. The CMD also said the augmentation of the line and distribution transformer, wherever required, would be done by the PSPCL at its cost.